News

2025 J/80 Hong Kong Championships: Results, Highlights, and Key Moments

March 4th, 2025

News

The 2025 J/80 Hong Kong Championships took place on the 1st and 2nd of March. It brought together 18 boats for an exciting weekend of sailing off the east coast of Lamma Island. The event featured top-tier talent, including Hong Kong Olympians Nicholas Halliday & Stephanie Norton. Additionally, defending champions Jammin’, led by Frederic Azemard, were eager to retain their title.

Key Participants: Hong Kong’s Best Sailors Compete in J/80 Class

Notable teams included Jahoo, skippered by Frank van Kempen and David Salembier, and Tigrina, led by Andrew Moore. Both boats have consistently ranked among the top contenders at previous Hong Kong J/80 Championships. Jahoo, in particular, had finished in 2nd or 3rd place in the past four championships. Could this finally be the year they take home the title?

Jammin’, the reigning champions, were also aiming to defend their title. After their stellar performance at the 2024 J/80 World Championships, they were ready for another victory.

Day 1: Solid Breeze Sets the Stage for Exciting Racing

Day 1 of the 2025 Hong Kong J/80 Championships started with perfect 8-10 knot North East winds. The racing action took place off Lamma Island, where Jahoo claimed the first bullet of the regatta. Mozzie, skippered by Clement Brunet Moret, followed closely behind. Jammin’ soon took control, winning the next two races. However, Jahoobounced back in Race 4 with another win. Jammin’ finished the day strong, securing a victory in the final race.

By the end of Day 1, Jammin’ led with 6 points, followed by Jahoo (9 points) and Mozzie (10 points). Tigrina was in 4th place with 19 points, and Jena Pabe (Nicholas Halliday) held 8th place with 24 points.

The race committee’s decision to run five races on Day 1 was a smart one. Lighter winds on Day 2 would have made it difficult to complete the full series of 8 races otherwise.

Day 2: Foggy Conditions and Tight Competition

Day 2 presented sailors with atypical conditions. The wind shifted to the south, bringing thick fog that added extra challenges. Despite this, Jammin’ continued their dominance. They won the first two races of the day, securing the championship with a race to spare.

Jahoo performed admirably, finishing 2nd, 3rd, and 1st in the final three races. This strong performance helped them hold onto 2nd place overall. Mozzie rounded out the podium, securing consistent top-three finishes.

In the middle of the fleet, an exciting 3-way tie emerged between three boats, all finishing with 57 points. The tie-breaker was used to settle the scores between 8th and 10th place. Jelignite (skippered by Pierre Regnault) came out on top, thanks to their strong 4th and 5th place finishes.

Final Standings: Jammin’ Retains the Title

Congratulations to Frederic Azemard and his team aboard Jammin’ for successfully defending their Hong Kong J/80 title. Their dedication to competing at the J/80 World Championships last year proved invaluable. Their impressive racecraft and teamwork ensured their victory in 2025.

A Big Thank You to the Event Organizers

The 2025 J/80 Hong Kong Championships would not have been possible without the hard work of the event organizers, volunteers, and race officials. Special thanks to the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) Sailing Office, the class committee, and all volunteers for their efforts. Their contributions helped ensure a smooth and enjoyable regatta for everyone involved.